THEATRE RESPONSE: GRAND HOTEL

Okay - some of you actors will know what I'm talking about: Every now and again you debate whether or not you should audition for a show so you weigh the pros's and con's and ultimately decide that even though it's a show that's rarely done and that you would get to work with some of your favorite people you are just too damn exhausted to do another show at the moment. So you go see it and then you feel very guilty about not doing it because it's so good - this is one of those cases.

Hillbarn Theatre is presenting a first-rate production of the Maury Yeston musical GRAND HOTEL. This is one of the best community theatre productions I have ever seen thanks to brilliant direction, an amazing orchestra, gorgeous sets & lights, top-notch talent and sizzling choreography. I mean - this show had it all.

I'm still not sure how I actually feel about the piece itself. It's really hard to describe but it has elements of Brecht, the musical Cabaret & Threepenny Opera in it. The show is presented without an intermission and runs two hours (this did not bother me except for the annoying people sitting next to me - who never clapped) but as I was leaving the theatre I could hear that was people's main objection with the show.

Set Designer Hunter B. Jameson has created a gorgeous, elegant, impressionistic set that shifts gears beautifully. Don Colluzi's lighting was spot on and accented the set so well. Director John Kirman makes wonderful use of the space and utilizes his large cast with ease. There was a lot of talent in that cast but I must single out my beloved friends Tracy Chiappone as Raffaela, Erica Wyman as Flaemmchen and Joey Montes who was a part of the hotel staff. I was also touched by Ron Simonian's portrayal of Otto Kringelein.

Gary Stanford & Kevin Stanford are standouts with their dance numbers carrying out my pal Joe Duffy's sizzling choreography. Joe is such a talented man - he is a Bay Area treasure. The main dance number in the piece was We'll Take a Glass Together and really showed how Joe is a a master at highliting people's talents.

Also kudos to Greg Sudmeier's musical direction. The score is no easy task and his cast was up to the challenge (and bravo to Hillbarn for giving their cast a video monitor to see the conductor - I can't stand it when theatre's hide their orchestra and then expect them to be in sync without a monitor!) Sudmeier has also assembled top notch musicians for his orchestra and it is one of the best orchestras I have ever heard at a community theatre.

Grand Hotel is a show that's not done very often and I read that it's because professional theatre's can't afford it (due to the large cast) but I think it goes beyond that - the material is very dark and doesn't have a lot of humor to bring us out of that darkness. However I highly recommend this production - it is a stunning production and shows you community theatre crossing that level between really great community theatre and isn't this a professional show? Bravo!